System and apparatus for electrical regulation



y 1934- F. w. GODSEY, JR 1,960,086

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL REGULATION Original Filed Aug. 19. 1929 INVENT May 22, 1934 PATENT OFFICE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL REGULATION Frank W. Godsey, In, New Haven, Conn., as-fif signor to The Safety Car Heating 8; Lighting Company, a corporation of New Jersey Original application August 19, 1929, Serial No. 387,049. Divided and this application August 28, 1931, Serial No. 559,858

12 Claim.

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for electric regulation, and more particularly for controlling the speed of a dynamo electric machine.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a thoroughly practical and efficient system and apparatus for controlling the speed of a dynamo electric machine. Another object is to provide a thoroughly practical and reliable system of speed control of the above mentioned character, in which the controlling action will be entirely au- 'tomatic in coping with the numerous variable conditions of actual use. Another object is to provide a control system that will be flexible and may be readily and dependably adjusted to meet the various different conditions imposed by practical use. to provide a. quick and precise manner of regulating the speed of a dynamo electric machine. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter. 1

This application is a division of application, Serial No. 387,049 filed August 19, 1929, now Patent'No. 1,896,169.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application 'of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the single figure of the accompanying drawing there is shown diagrammatically one of various possible embodiments of my invention.

, Referring now to the drawing, there is shown at 10 a source of motive power preferably in the form of a gas or oil internal combustion engine supplied with fuel through the conduit '11 which leads to any appropriate source. A throttle valve 12 operable by means of a .handle 13 controls the supply of fuel to the engine 10. i

The engine 10 drives a shaft '14 from which is driven a generator A, the field winding 15 of which is energized in a manner more clearly described hereinafter. The generator A supplies energy to a load which illustratively is shown in the form of an electric motor 16, preferably of the series type, connected in any sutable manner to the driving wheel 1'7 of the Vehicle. The shaft 14 also drives a generator Blthe' excitation of which through the field winding 18 is controlled by a variable resistance preferably in the form of a carbon pile 19, the pressure upon which is controlled by a coil 20, connected across the generator B so as to be responsive to the voltage of the latter, and acting through the bell crank Another object of this invention is.

lever 21 and in opposition to the spring 2.2to vary the pressure upon and hence the resistance of the carbon pile 19. Thus, even if the speed of the generator B varies, the regulating apparatus 19-20 maintains the voltage of the generator B substantially constant.

The generator B supplies energy to a train line 23 -24 to which it is connected by conductors 2 526, respectively, but preferably through an automatic switch 27 adapted to close the circuit upon the generator B, after starting of the engine 10, achieving an appropriate voltage and adapted to disconnect the generator B should its speed reduce below a certain value.

From the train line 2324 various auxiliary devices may be operated. Also, a storage battery 28 is connected across the train line 23--24 and is maintained in a substantially charged condition by the generator B. As illustrative of other devices that may be operated from the train line 2324, I have shown lamps 29.

The field winding 15 of the generator A is energized preferably by the generator B and hence is conveniently connected across the train line 23-24, but preferably through a variable resistance preferably taking the form of a carbon pile 30. The circuit of the field winding 15 will thus be seen to extend from train line conductor 23 through the field winding 15, conductor 31, carbon pile 30, conductor 32, and thence to the 35 other train line conductor 24.

The resistance 30 is variable and the pressure thereon is controlled preferably by two coils 33 and 34 spaced axially from each other and acting upon a common movable core 35, these parts being so proportioned that, with equal energizations of the coils 33-34, the coils exert substantially equal but opposite effects upon the movable core 35. Adash-pot 36 is connected preferably to the core 35 to steady or damp the movements thereof, as well as the movements communicated to. the carbon pile 30 through the lever 3'1. The lever 37 is pivoted at 38 and is connected to the core 35 preferably at a midpoint in the latter. The control of the energization of coils 3334 will be more fully described hereinafter.

The shaft 14 driven by the engine 10 also drives an alternator 39, preferably in the form of a magneto alternator and preferably, also, single phase. The alternator 39 produces an alternating potential, the frequency of which varies with any changes in speed of rotation of the driven. shaft 14, and hence of the engine 10. Another alternator 10, preferably similar to the alternator 39, is driven by an electric motor 41 connected erate at substantially constant speed, for a given energization of its field winding 44.

The shunt field winding 44 of the motor 41 has its one terminal connected by-conductor 42 to trainline conductor24, and-its other terminal is connected through a manually adjustable resistance 45 and through a variable resistance 46 controlled by the handle 1310f theythrottle valve 12, and thence to the other trainlineconductor 23. Byi'means of the resistance I4 5=the speed of drive of the motor 41, and'hencethe frequency of the potential of th'ealtern'ator 40, may be fixed. The frequency to which the alternator 40 is set is preferably equal to that which characterizes the output of thealternator 39 when the shaft 14 and engine 10 are. rotating at the desired speed.

eating, by means of a movable member or hand 48, whether or not the two 'alte'rnators 39 and 40 are in synchronism and for indicating which alternator has the higher frequency.

The indicator arm48iis1 Dfl Ierably conductive andacts as a contactor, being connected by conductor 49 to the common or midpoint 'of the. two

serially connected coils 33 44. .To the left of contactor 48 is a contact 50, and to the right is" a contact 51. Contact '50 is connected by conductor 52 to the remaining terminal of coil 33, and contact 51 is connected by conductor 53 to the remaining terminal of coil 34.

The serially connected coils 33-34 are bridged across the train line 23--24 by conductors 5455, a resistance 56 being preferably inserted in one of these conductors.

Assuming the engine 10 to be in operation and operating the parts driven thereby at such a speed that the potential of the alternator 39 is in synchronism with the potential of the alternator 40, the synchroscope 47 will hold the indicator and contactor arm 48 in the position shown in the drawing, and hence intermediate of the fixed contacts 50--51. Coils 3334 are equally energized from the train line 23-24 and hold the core 35 in a position of equilibrium, thus holding a corresponding pressure upon and hence resistance of the carbon pile 30. Should, however, the engine 10 speed up, as for example, due to a diminishing of the load on the generator A, the frequency of the output of the alternator 39 increases with this increase in speed of the shaft 14; the synchroscope 47 responds at onceto this departure in frequency of the alternator 39 from the fixed frequency of the alternator 40 and moves the arm 48 in counter-clockwise direction, and hence into contact with the fixed contact 50, thus shortcircuiting coil 33. The resistance of coil 33 having thus been removed from the circuit of coil 34, the energization of the latter is correspondingly increased, and this action, together with the absence of an opposing pull on the part of coil 33, causes the core 35 to be moved downwardly and to increase, through the lever 37, the pressure on carbon pile 30.

The resistance of carbon pile 30 is thus decreased, the-excitation of field winding 15 of generator A is correspondingly increased, and similarly, also, the output of the generator A to the load 16-,1'l. This increased load, thus imposed upon the engine 10, causes the latter to slow down until itsspeed is such as will cause the frequency of alternator 39 to be again equal to the frequencyof alternator 40, synchroscope 47 moving the contactor 48 into neutral position. In this neutral position, as shown in the drawing, the coils 33 and 34 are equally energized, as above noted, they exert substantially equally opposing effects, and hold the core 35 in a position of equilibrium, substantially maintaining the abovementioned increased output of the generator A.

Should the engine 10 and the shaft 14 driven thereby decrease in speed as, for example, when the vehicle reaches an up-grade in its path, and due, therefore, to the increased load imposed upon the engine 10, a reverse action takes place, the frequency of alternator 39 becoming less than the frequency of alternator 40 and synchroscope 4'7 moving its contactor 48 in clockwise direction to short-circuit coil 34 and thus to increase the At 47 is; shown diagrammatically a syn'chroscope. Alternators 39 and 40 are connected to the synchroscope .47 which, by the way, may beef. any suitable or convenient construction for indithe additional load which caused it to slow down, speeds up to normal speed again.

Such actions as the above may repeat themselves, depending upon the frequency with which changes in speed take place. I If it is desired to cause the engine 10 to operate at a diii'erent speed, all for a given setting of the throttle valve 12, the adjustable resistance 45 is changed or adjusted to a new value, thus changing the excitation of motor 41 and correspondingly changing the speed of rotation thereof, and hence of the alternator 40. The frequency of output of the latter is correspondingly altered and thus the alternator 40 is made to set a new standard of frequency with respect to which the synchroscope 47 is actuated in response to changes in frequency of the alternator 39.

As above noted, I prefer, also, to cause the throttle valve 12, when operated manually by the handle 13, to bring about a change in the standard of speed control of the engine 10 achieved by the coaction of the alternator-s 39 and 40, the synchroscope 47, and related parts. This arrangement has particular advantage in that I am enabled in a thoroughly practical and dependable manner to match the power outputspeed characteristic of the internal combustion engine 10. For example, the characteristic of the engine 10 may be such that at greater outputs thereof (as determined by increasing the opening of the throttle valve 12) the engine 10 should run at higher speed. Accordingly, the actua ion of the throttle valve 12 in a direction to increase the fuel supply to the engine 10, and

hence in a direction to increase the power output of the engine 10, to progressively increase the raised or increased at particularly those times when the conditions of the load, such as the beginning of an ascent of an up-grade by the ve-" hicle, require the engine 10 to deliver'a greater power output. Thus, movement: offlthefcontrol lever 13 in a direction to increase the-fuel supply maintained constant by the regulating appa-f ratus, as will cause such an increase in the speed of the engine 10 as will permit the latter promptly and more effectively to pick up in res'm se to the increased fuel supply thereto. Thus theengine is enabled dependably and without danger of stalling, to cope with relatively sudden demands for greater power output. I

It will thus be seen that there has been pro vided in this invention an apparatus and system in which the several objects hereinbefore noted, as well as many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved; It will be seen that the apparatus is of a thoroughly practical nature, is of dependable and reliable action and, more- ,over, is character-izedby such flexibility of control or adjustment thereof as permits the meeting of the widely varying conditions of hard practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

I claim: I

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a generator, means forming an electrical load for receiving energy from said generator, means for controlling the power supplied to said load, an alternating current generator, the frequency of which varies with changes in power supplied said load by said generator, means supplying alternating current of relatively fixed frequency, and means responsive to the diflerence in said two frequencies for affecting saidcontrol means to change the power supplied tofsaid load.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a generator, means forming an electrical load for receiving energy from said generator, means for controlling the power supplied to said load, an alternating current generator, the frequency of which varies with changes in. power supplied said load by said generator, means supplying alternating current of relatively fixed frequency, and means responsive to preponderance of the first-mentioned frequency for operatin power supplied said load by said generator, i

means supplying alternating current of relatively fixed frequency, and means responsive to the difference in said two frequencies for affecting said control means'to change the power supplied to said load.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a generator, means forming an electrica l load for receiving energy from said generator, means for controlling-the power supplied frequency, means for indicating inequality of said two frequencies, and means controlled by said indicating means for actuating said control means.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in

combination, a dynamo electric machine having a fleld circuit, a resistance for controlling said field circuit, means operable to vary said resistance, means responsive to decreases in speedof I said 'dyiiamo'electric machine for operating said resistancewarying means. in "one direction, and

meansrcsponsive to'i'ncreases in speed of said dynamo'eiectric machine for operating saidresist jcewarying means in theother direction,

6. In apparatusof .the character described, in" I combination, a dynamoelectric machine having a field circuit,- a resistance for controlling said to said load, an alternating current generator, the frequency of which varies ,withjchanges in power supplied said load by saidgeneratonmeans V supplying alternating current of "relatively fixed to the engine 10 is accompanied by an automatic change in the standard of speed, automatically field circ.uit,and means including two 'coilsflihopposed relation responsive to changesinspeed of said dynamo electric machine for changing the 1 effectiveness of said resistance.

7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a dynamo electric machine, means for controlling the excitation thereof, means for of energized coils in opposed relation for controlling the excitation of said field, and means rendered effective by a decrease in frequency for deenergizing one of said coils and rendered effective by an increase in frequenecy for de-energizing the other of said coils.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a dynamo electric machine having a field, means supplying an alternating current varying in frequency in accordance with changes in speed of said machine, means for controlling the excitation of said field, constantly energized means for actuating said field control means, and

means for de-energizing certain portions of said energized means in accordance with increases or decreases in frequency of said alternating potential supply means.

10. In apparatus of the character described. in combination, a dynamo electric machine having a field, means for controlling the excitation of ating said field control means, and means rendered effective by increases or decreases in speed of said'inachineforde-energizing certain portions of said energized actuatingmeans.

11. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a dynamo electric machine, means for'controlling the excitation thereof, means for producing an alternating potential varying in frequency with changes in speed of said machine, means including aplurality of coils adapted, in accordance with the relative effectiveness of said coils, to'vary the effectiveness of said excitationsaid field, constantly energized means for actualternating potential the frequency 01' which varies with changes in the output of said dynamo electric machine, a pair of coils for controlling said carbon pile regulator, and means responsive to changes in frequency of said alternating potential for controlling said coils.

FRANK W. GODSEY, JR. 

